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Posts tagged ‘finch’

Apr 10

75 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Color

There’s so much color in the depths of South Florida, but this little one’s not native to the area. It’s native to a region where I was raised (roundabout, anyways). When I think of COLOR, my brain always returns to the petite endangered Gouldian Finch — also known as the Rainbow Finch, appropriately.

This spectacularly-colored little bird is native to Australia, where their numbers have decreased dramatically throughout the 20th century due to habitat loss. They remain an endangered species in their natural habitat, with less than 2,500 remaining. While attempts at their reintroduction have proved unsuccessful, thankfully these lovely finches are the subject of a conservation program in Australia. There are currently plans to recover and conserve their natural habitats, with management guidelines in place to educate landholders about land management, promoting the recovery program, and Gouldian Finch conservation. They’re also popular birds in captivity and among breeders, which keeps their general populations higher.

Gouldian Finch (Rainbow Finch), Butterfly World, Florida

Gouldian (Rainbow) Finch posing at his sanctuary in Butterfly World

In 1992, the species was classified as endangered in the wild. That same year, Catwoman stuffed a poor Gouldian into her mouth in Batman Returns — some say, to raise awareness for their plight.

Here’s to wishing all the best for this beautiful and bright little bird!

 

Jul 4

36 Comments

A Tiny and Striking Owl Finch

The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man. ―Charles Darwin

The Owl Finch — Bicheno Finch, or Double-barred Finch — is native to Australia, and can be found in open savannah-like habitats. The “owl” part of this tiny and striking finch’s name is due to the dark ring of feathers around an otherwise white face. The rest of these finches sport black and brown on their upper bodies and throats, with white underneath. A black band divides the breast from the throat, with another black line dividing the chest from the belly area. Their wings are mostly black, layered with speckles of small white uniform dots.

Owl Finches are known to be friendly, and interact well with mixed species — and sure enough, these handsome little finches were twittering about the lush and fairy-like Butterfly World’s Jewels of the Sky Aviary, the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the United States — even cohabitating with the butterflies.

Owl Finch

Owl Finch Displays Its Lovely Wing Patterns

Owl Finch and Its Striking Facial Markings

Jun 22

37 Comments

Rainbows in an Endangered Finch

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. —Aristotle

I captured this brave little fellow at Butterfly World’s Jewels of the Sky Aviary, the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the United States. It’s a most amazing, beautiful, and fairy-like place — a huge and lush flower-filled habitat of Hummingbirds, Honeycreepers, and Euphonias.

The Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae), also known as the Lady Gouldian Finch, Gould’s Finch, or the Rainbow Finch, was named for Elizabeth Gould, wife of British ornithological artist John Gould. This spectacularly-colored little bird is native to Australia, where their numbers have decreased dramatically throughout the 20th century due to habitat loss. They remain an endangered species in their natural habitat, with less than 2,500 remaining.

In 1992, the species was classified as endangered in the wild. That same year, Catwoman stuffed a poor Gouldian into her mouth in Batman Returns— some say, to raise awareness for their plight.

Catwoman eyes the Penguin’s Gouldian in “Batman Returns”

However, they’re popular birds in captivity and among breeders, which keeps their general populations higher. The delicate Gouldian Finches are difficult to breed outside of their native Australia — they demand a clean environment and excellent nutrition to survive and thrive, and aren’t suggested for novice breeders. (I personally have issues with caged birds, but wanted to include this tidbit.) While attempts at their reintroduction have proved unsuccessful, thankfully these lovely finches are the subject of a conservation program in Australia. There are currently plans to recover and conserve their natural habitats, with management guidelines discussed to educate landholders about land management, promoting the recovery program, and Gouldian Finch conservation.

Gouldian Finches gather in flocks in the wild, most likely to protect against predation. They’re highly sociable birds, but more often with other birds than with humans. Both sexes are brightly colored, with black, green, yellow, and red markings — but with selective breeding, there are now many color mutations. As usual, females tend to be less brightly colored (the males do the strutting). Gouldians bond and mate for life.

In honor of this beautiful, endangered, and brave little finch, may you have an equally bright weekend!

Gouldian Finch (Rainbow Finch)

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